If going to (a) church doesn't make you a Christian, then what does...?

Sabertooth

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WESTOZZIE

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I am assuming you are genuinely confused about this issue...I may be wrong.
People talk about those who are what they call "nominal Christians" . These are people who maybe go to church at Easter, or for a Funeral and believe that if you are a good person, try to do unto others as you want them to do for you, then you will go to heaven. These same people may cuss and swear, drink beer a lot, even take the name of Jesus in vain a lot....but they will tell you that they are Christian.
Others think that if you are white and descended from the British Isles that you Christian.

Of course the Bible should tell us what a Christian is.

The only time the word Christians is mentioned in the Bible is in the book Acts.

Act 11:25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Previous to Barnabas and Saul(Paul) preaching and teaching the disciples in Antioch Luke tells us this...

Act 11:20 ...when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Act 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

So these ones that were called Christians by those in Antioch...were disciples or followers of Jesus...having had Jesus preached to them....by which they had been enabled to believe the Good news about Jesus by the hand(power) of God. God also enabled these Antiochans to leave their old ways of idolatry behind and to TURN (repent)to Jesus the LORD.

It tells us that first of all, a person needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ...
Hear Paul's preaching...
I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
1Co 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
1Co 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

The Antiochans had Jesus preached to them....
They believed and turned to Him
He became their LORD AND SAVIOUR.
They would have been baptised in water in the name of Jesus
They would have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit
Thus they were enabled to love God and love all people
So they now were like Jesus Himself
Thus they were called Christians-- LIKE CHRIST.

What makes one a Christian?
God does it, by granting us faith in Jesus Christ and repentance/turning to Him away from other gods and power to live as Him in this world.
 
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Sabertooth

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Neogaia777

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You to tell me how you got saved
Because of Jesus/God and all He/They did, both in the past and in the present with and in my life now down to this day... and They're calling me, drawing me (in) and I don't know if I had to (choose to) respond to that call, or if They predestined me to respond to the, or Their call, or calling me, or not...?

If I was to "make my calling and election sure", I would only be making it so for me and to me, for They already know and already knew long, long ago...

God Bless!
 
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Neogaia777

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Maybe I should have typed

THIS is the site that clarified the difference between Christian & JUST a church-goer for me.
That does make a little more sense, but I don't like questionnaires, maybe I'll look at it later K...?

But you have linked that site in other posts with me and others before, and it kind of seems like your trying to promote it very strongly, like it's the "gospel" or something...?

I'll look into it later and get back to you K...? Gonna save it in my favorites for now...

God Bless!
 
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Neogaia777

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Maybe I should have typed

THIS is the site that clarified the difference between a Christian & JUST being a church-goer for me.
Ok, just took a quick look at it and it is pretty good, I will admit... But I still have some questions that it does not answer though...?

Like does a true Christian have to, or should he or she, or does he or she, have to go to, and/or belong, to a church or not...?

God Bless!
 
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messianist

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That does make a little more sense, but I don't like questionnaires, maybe I'll look at it later K...?

But you have linked that site in other posts with me and others before, and it kind of seems like your trying to promote it very strongly, like it's the "gospel" or something...?

I'll look into it later and get back to you K...? Gonna save it in my favorites for now...

God Bless!

Ok, I have a general idea of what your saying, Is your daily bread peace or do you find that most days are difficult in your life.
 
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Sabertooth

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But you have linked that site in other posts with me and others before, and it kind of seems like your trying to promote it very strongly, like it's the "gospel" or something...?
It is a very good summary that explains the basics of Christianity to the unchurched (and everyone else). That is why I offer it wherever it is appropriate. (And it is available in many languages.)
 
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Neogaia777

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Ok, I have a general idea of what your saying, Is your daily bread peace or do you find that most days are difficult in your life.
I have a lot of peace (now) but I find I have to isolate myself much of the time to have it...? (I'm single, live alone, and do not work)... I spend a great deal of my time alone in my apartment... But I have peace most of the time, if only because of that...

This is also due to some "problems" (mental health issues) I have as well though... My mental health issues make it difficult for me to be a normal part of society, including church much of the time, for the most part...

God Bless!
 
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Sabertooth

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Like does a true Christian have to, or should he or she, or does he or she, have to go to, and/or belong, to a church or not...?
It is best for a Christian to do so, if they can; but sometimes they cannot, like shut-ins, for example.
 
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Neogaia777

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It is a very good summary that explains the basics of Christianity to the unchurched (and everyone else). That is why I offer it wherever it is appropriate. (And it is available in many languages.)
Sorry... I quoted another post to you after that one you just quoted when I looked at it, but/and apologize for saying that, especially in that way (now)...

God Bless!
 
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